Free three-day festival celebrating of Aldgate Square

A three-day extravaganza of food, music and theatre is set to take over Aldgate Square in the east of the City to kick start community celebrations of the newly refurbished area.

Local communities are invited to attend the festival, running from Friday June 15 until Sunday June 17, to join in the first of a host of events celebrating the new square, situated just off Aldgate High Street.

It will include a vibrant spectrum of music, arts, performance, food, games and theatre from around the East End and beyond, mirroring the cultural wealth of the area.

Based on a creative collaboration between a number of community, arts, education, religious and businesses groups, the festival will showcase the immense talent found in this unique corner of the capital, as well as the strength of its history.

Kicking off the festivities on Friday, June 15 will be headline act, Seeds of Creation. Crowds will also be entertained by a Latin fiesta band and students from Sir John Cass’s Foundation Primary School who will be putting on a fashion show.

On Saturday, June 16, visitors will be treated to a parade and a tent dedicated to Eid celebrations, Katy Ashworth from CBeebies will be entertaining families and children and Rhythms of the City will be performing, amongst a range of other music and entertainment.

Sunday will be an opportunity for people to bring a picnic and enjoy music and entertainment from The Wild East, China Choudhury and Aldgate Choir.

The official opening event is set to take place Wednesday 4 July.

Randall Anderson, Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s Community and Children’s Services Committee, said:

“The Aldgate Square Festival is set to be a fun-filled community celebration of all that Aldgate and the surrounding area has to offer.

“The three-day bonanza will have something for everyone so come along and experience this great community space, and all the local entertainment and variety of food that will be laid on.

“A lot of hard work has gone into making this public space accessible for everyone in and around Aldgate. I hope that residents and local people will be able to enjoy the square and the facilities for many, many years to come.”

The festival is being led by City of London Corporation in partnership with multiple organisations, including St Botolph’s church without Aldgate, Kahaila Café, Sir John Cass Foundation Primary School, Canon Barnett Primary School, Toynbee Hall, Aldgate Community Events, Artizan Street Library and Community Centre, Middlesex Street Estate, Mansell Street Estate, Golden Lane Estate, The Aldgate Partnership, Arts Admin and Toynbee Studios, Cardboard Citizens, London Metropolitan Archives, Survey of London, London Metropolitan University, Swadhinata Trust, RadhaRaman Society and Tower Bridge, amongst many others; and relationships are continuing to build.

The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally-successful UK. www.cityoflondon.gov.uk

The official ribbon-cutting opening will take place July 4 with Lord Mayor Charles Bowman and Mayor of London office.

In-depth guided tours and interviews will available for media. More details will be announced shortly. Contact Jennifer Ogunleye (Jennifer.ogunleye@cityoflondon.gov.uk; 02073323946; 07710860885) for more information.